Overview
- Knight announced his 2026 bid with a video saying “state leadership” has “lost its way,” stopping short of naming Gov. Tim Walz.
- His platform centers on affordability, job and wage growth, stronger public schools, and public safety, according to his campaign site.
- The 59-year-old Plymouth native is a food-industry CEO and retired Marine lieutenant colonel with degrees from Holy Cross, Georgetown Law, and Harvard Business School.
- He joins a GOP field already featuring House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Kristin Robbins, 2022 nominee Scott Jensen, businessman Kendall Qualls, Brad Kohler, Phillip Parrish, and former St. Cloud council member Jeff Johnson.
- Walz is seeking a third consecutive term next year, and recent cycles show Republicans face a difficult path to retake the governorship.